3235.0 - Population by Age and Sex, Regions of Australia, 2012 3235.0 - Population by Age and Sex, Regions of Australia, 2012 Sex ratio TOTAL POPULATION Australia's estimated resident population (ERP) reached 22.7 million at 30 June 2012, increasing by 370,300 people or 1.7% since 30 June 2011. In 2012, just under one-third (32%) of Australia's population resided in New South Wales, while one-quarter (25%) lived in Victoria. All states and territories experienced population growth between 2011 and 2012, with the largest increases in Australia's three most populous states. Victoria had the greatest growth (up 91,300 people), followed by Queensland (88,800) and New South Wales (82,600). Western Australia was close behind, increasing by 79,300 people.

Western Australia had the fastest growth, increasing by 3.4%, followed by Queensland (2.0%), the Australian Capital Territory (1.9%) and the Northern Territory (1.7%). The remaining states had growth below the Australian rate of 1.7%, with Victoria at 1.6%, New South Wales at 1.1%, South Australia at 1.0% and Tasmania at just 0.2%. In 2012, just over one-fifth of Australia's population lived within Greater Sydney, while just under one-fifth lived in Greater Melbourne. Greater Melbourne had the largest population growth of any capital city, gaining 79,000 people. Greater Perth grew by 3.6%, which was the fastest growth of all capital cities in Australia. Greater Hobart experienced both the smallest (710 people) and slowest (0.3%) growth. Back to top AGE AND SEX DISTRIBUTION The following graph (called a 'population pyramid') compares the age/sex structure of the population residing in greater capital cities with the population residing in the rest of Australia.

Each dark bar illustrates the percentage contribution of a sex and five-year age group to the total population of capital cities, while each light bar illustrates the percentage contribution to the rest of Australia's population. For example, the graph shows that in June 2012, males aged 0 to 4 years made up 3.4% of the population of the combined capital cities compared to 3.3% of the rest of Australia. A distinctive feature in the age distribution of Australia at June 2012 was the high representation of people aged 20 to 44 years residing in capital cities. People in this age group represented 38% of the combined capital city population, compared to 31% of the population in the rest of Australia. This reflects the attraction of younger adults to education, employment and other opportunities in capital cities. In contrast, older adults aged 45 years and over made up a smaller proportion of the population in capital cities (37%) than in the rest of Australia (43%). The population pyramid also highlights differences between the sexes. For June 2012, the most notable feature was the higher proportions of females than males aged 80 years and over.

This was evident in both capital cities and in the rest of Australia. The difference was most marked among the population aged 85 years and over, and is attributable to the longer life expectancies of female Australians. AGE AND SEX DISTRIBUTION (%), Greater capital cities and rest of Australia - 30 June 2012 In 2012, 15.0 million people (66% of the population) resided in greater capital cities and 7.7 million (34%) resided in the rest of Australia. There were more females (7.57 million) than males (7.45 million) living in capital cities, while slightly more males (3.86 million) than females (3.84 million) resided in the rest of the country. Almost three-quarters (73%) of people aged 25 to 29 years resided in Australia's capital cities, the highest proportion of any five-year age group. Conversely, the 70 to 74 year age group had the lowest proportion living in Australia's capital cities (60%).

AGE AND SEX DISTRIBUTION ('000), Greater capital cities and rest of Australia - 30 June 2012 Back to top MEDIAN AGE At June 2012, the median age of the Australian population (the age at which half the population is older and half is younger) was 37.3 years. The median age of males was 36.4 years and the median age of females was 38.2 years. Tasmania had the oldest median age of all states and territories, at 40.8 years, ahead of South Australia at 39.6 years. The Northern Territory was the youngest state or territory with a median age of 31.5 years, ahead of the Australian Capital Territory at 34.5 years. The Statistical Areas Level 4 (SA4s) with the highest median ages were Mid North Coast (47.8 years) and Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven (46.0), both on the New South Wales coast, followed by South East (44.9) in Tasmania. These areas are all popular retirement destinations.

The SA4 with the lowest median age was Northern Territory - Outback (29.6 years), followed by Queensland - Outback (32.6) and Brisbane Inner City (32.7). Back to top CHILDREN (UNDER 15 YEARS OF AGE) At June 2012, the total number of children under 15 years of age was 4.29 million. This accounted for 19% of the total population. The Northern Territory had the highest proportion of children (23% of its total population), while South Australia had the lowest (18%). The SA4s with the highest proportion of children were Northern Territory - Outback (26%), Queensland - Outback (24%) and Sydney - Blacktown (23%). The lowest proportions of children were in the inner-city SA4s of Sydney - City and Inner South (10%), Melbourne - Inner (12%), Brisbane Inner City (14%) and Perth Inner (15%).

POPULATION AGED LESS THAN 15 YEARS, Statistical Areas Level 4, Australia - 30 June 2012 Back to top WORKING AGE POPULATION (AGED 15-64 YEARS) At June 2012, there were 15.2 million people of working age (15 to 64 years). The proportion of the total population in this age group was 67%. The Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory had the highest proportions of people of working age (both 71%). Tasmania had the lowest proportion (65%). The SA4s with the highest proportions of working age people were Sydney - City and Inner South (81%), Melbourne - Inner (78%) and Brisbane Inner City (77%). The SA4s with the lowest proportions were Mid North Coast (58%) and Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven (59%), both in New South Wales, and Wide Bay (60%) on Queensland's coast.

WORKING AGE POPULATION (AGED 15-64 YEARS), Statistical Areas Level 4, Australia - 30 June 2012 Back to top PEOPLE AGED 65 YEARS AND OVER There were 3.22 million people aged 65 years and over in Australia at June 2012, accounting for 14% of the total population. Tasmania (17%) had the highest proportion of people aged 65 years and over, closely followed by South Australia (16%). The Northern Territory had the lowest proportion (5.9%). The SA4s with the highest proportion of people aged 65 years and over were Mid North Coast (25%) and Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven (23%), both in New South Wales, and Barossa - Yorke - Mid North (20%) in South Australia. The SA4s with the lowest proportion of people in this age group were Northern Territory - Outback (4.9%), Darwin (6.7%) and Western Australia - Outback (7.2%).

POPULATION AGED 65 YEARS AND OVER, Statistical Areas Level 4, Australia - 30 June 2012 Back to top SEX RATIO At June 2012, there were 102,300 more females than males residing in Australia, with 11.3 million males and 11.4 million females. The sex ratio (the number of males per hundred females) was 99.1. The sex ratio of the states and territories ranged from a low of 98.0 in Victoria to 110.7 in the Northern Territory. Only in the Northern Territory and Western Australia (101.9) did males outnumber females. The sex ratio of all greater capital cities combined (98.4) was lower than for the rest of Australia (100.5). In all states and territories, the ratio of males to females was lower in the capital city than in the rest of the state or territory. Greater Adelaide (96.7) had the lowest sex ratio, while Greater Darwin (109.6) was the only capital city where males outnumbered females.

The SA4s with the highest sex ratios were Western Australia - Outback (122.3), Queensland - Outback (113.7) and Northern Territory - Outback (112.0), which were all areas with significant mining activity. The lowest sex ratios were in the inner and middle suburban SA4s of Melbourne - Inner East (93.6), Sydney - North Sydney and Hornsby (94.0) and Melbourne - Inner South (94.4). MALES PER 100 FEMALES, Statistical Areas Level 4, Australia - 30 June 2012 3201.0 - Population by Age and Sex, Australian States and Territories, Jun 2010 3201.0 - Population by Age and Sex, Australian States and Territories, Jun 2010 NOTES ABOUT THIS PUBLICATION This is the final issue of this publication. The data released in this publication will in future be released as part of the Australian Demographic Statistics (cat. no. 3101.0) publication.

This publication contains estimates of the resident population (ERP) of Australian states and territories by single year of age and by sex as at 30 June of each reference year and include mean ages and sex ratios. The data is based on the 2006 Census of Population and Housing. Estimates up to June 2006 are final based on the results of the 2006 Census of Population and Housing. Estimates for June 2007 and June 2008 have been revised and estimates from June 2009 onwards are preliminary. For more information on rebasing population estimates over the 2001-2006 intercensal period, see Final Rebasing and Revision of Australia's Population Estimates, September Quarter 2001 - June Quarter 2006 in Australian Demographic Statistics, December Quarter 2007 (cat. no. 3101.0). In recognition of the inherent inaccuracy involved in population estimation, population figures over 1,000 in the text are rounded to the nearest hundred, and figures less than 1,000 are rounded to the nearest ten.

While unrounded figures are provided in tables, accuracy to the last digit is not claimed and should not be assumed. It is recommended that the relevant statistics be rounded by users for commentary based on the statistics in this publication. All data are affected by errors in reporting and processing (for more information see Quality Declaration ). No reliance should be placed on statistics with small values. INQUIRIES For further information about these and related statistics, contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070 or Michael Giampietro on Canberra (02) 6252 5640. SUMMARY COMMENTARY INTRODUCTION In the 12 months to 30 June 2010, Australia's population increased by 377,100 people, reaching 22,342,000. The annual growth rate for the year ended 30 June 2010 (1.7%) was lower than that recorded for the year ended 30 June 2009 (2.2%). AGEING POPULATION Australia's population, like that of most developed countries, is ageing as a result of sustained low fertility and increasing life expectancy.

This is resulting in proportionally fewer children (under 15 years of age) in the population. The median age (the age at which half the population is older and half is younger) of the Australian population has increased by 4.8 years over the last two decades, from 32.1 years at 30 June 1990 to 36.9 years at 30 June 2010. Between 30 June 2009 and 2010 the median age remained relatively steady at 36.8 years. Over the next several decades, population ageing is projected to have significant implications for Australia, including for health, labour force participation, housing and demand for skilled labour (Australia to 2050: Future Challenges, January 2010 (Intergenerational Report 2010), Attorney-General's Department). STATES AND TERRITORIES At 30 June 2010, Tasmania had the oldest population of all the states and territories with a median age of 39.9 years.

The second oldest was South Australia with a median age of 39.2 years, followed by New South Wales (37.2 years), Victoria (36.9 years), Western Australia and Queensland (36.2 years), the Australian Capital Territory (34.7 years) and the Northern Territory (31.3 years). Median Age of population(a) - At 30 June Tasmania experienced the largest increase in median age over the last 20 years, increasing by 7.8 years from 32.1 years in 1990 to 39.9 years in 2010. The emigration of younger adults from Tasmania to the Australian mainland has contributed to this accelerated ageing, see Migration, Australia (cat. no. 3412.0). Population change, Age group - 1990 to 2010 Between 30 June 1990 and 30 June 2010, the proportion of Australia's population aged 15-64 years has remained relatively stable, increasing from 66.9% to 67.5% of the total population.

The proportion of people aged 65 years and over has increased from 11.1% to 13.6%. During the same period, the proportion of population aged 85 years and over has more than doubled from 0.9% of the population at 30 June 1990 to 1.8% of the total population at 30 June 2010. The proportion aged under 15 years decreased from 22.0% to 18.9%. POPULATION STRUCTURE, Age and sex - Australia - 1990-2010 MODAL AGE The age with the largest number of people in Australia at 30 June 2010 was 25 years with 340,000 people. However, the modal age for Tasmania and South Australia is 49 years, which corresponds to the emigration of younger adults from these states for education and employment. CHILDREN (UNDER 15 YEARS OF AGE) The number of children aged 0-14 years in the population increased by 44,600 in the 12 months to 30 June 2010.

The number of children aged 0-4 years increased by 38,500, 5-9 increased by 7,800 and 10-14 decreased by 1,700. In the year ended 30 June 2010, Western Australia recorded the largest percentage increase (1.6%) in the number of children aged 0-14 years. Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory recorded positive growth of 1.6%, as did Victoria (1.0%), New South Wales and South Australia (both 0.7%) and the Northern Territory (0.2%). Tasmania recorded a decrease of 0.1%. Between 30 June 1990 and 30 June 2010, the proportion of children aged 0-14 years decreased by 3.1 percentage points from 22.0% to 18.9%.

WORKING AGE POPULATION (AGED 15-64 YEARS) The number of people aged 15-64 years (working age population) increased by 1.6% (or 237,700 persons) in the year ended 30 June 2010. Western Australia (2.1%), Victoria and Queensland (1.8%) and the Northern Territory (1.6%) each recorded growth rates for 15-64 year olds higher than or equal to the national average. The Australian Capital Territory (1.5%), New South Wales (1.4%), South Australia (1.1%), and Tasmania (0.7%) each recorded growth rates for 15-64 year olds lower than the national average. During the 20 years between 30 June 1990 and 30 June 2010, the proportion of population aged 15-64 years increased from 66.9% to 67.6%.

In the year ended 30 June 2010, there were 292,000 young people aged 15 who entered the working age population while 204,600 people turned 65 years and left the working age population. However, this excess of 15 year olds over 65 year olds is projected to decline over the next decade. The major causes for this decline are: (1) The first cohort of the baby boomers (those born in 1946) will reach the age of 65 years in 2011, leaving the working age population; (2) The number of 15 year olds entering the working age population will decline due to the fall in fertility and the number of births recorded through the 1990s. OLDER PEOPLE In the 12 months to 30 June 2010, the number of people aged 65 years and over in Australia increased by 94,800 people, representing a 3.3% increase.

The proportion of the population aged 65 years and over increased from 11.1% to 13.5% between 30 June 1990 and 30 June 2010. Population Aged 65 years and Over All states and territories experienced growth in their populations aged 65 years and over in the year ended 30 June 2010. The Northern Territory (7.2%), the Australian Capital Territory (4.2%), Queensland (4.0%) and Western Australia (3.6%) experienced the largest increase in the numbers of persons aged 65 years and over. Aged 85 years and over In the 12 months to 30 June 2010, the number of people aged 85 years and over increased by 23,100 people (6.1%) to reach 398,200. Over the past two decades, the number of elderly people increased by 170.6%, compared with a total population growth of 30.9% over the same period. Increased life expectancy for both males and females has contributed to this rise.

There were almost twice as many females (260,200) than males (138,100) in this age group at 30 June 2010 which reflects the higher life expectancy at birth for females compared with males. In the year ended June 2010, the largest increases in the number of people aged 85 years and over occurred in the Australian Capital Territory (8.7%), followed by New South Wales and Victoria (6.3%), Queensland (6.2%), Northern Territory (6.0%), Western Australia (5.9%), South Australia (5.4%) and Tasmania (4.7%). Aged 100 years and over In the 12 months to 30 June 2010, the number of people aged 100 years and over increased by 580 people (18.2%) to reach 3,700. Over the past two decades, the number of centenarians increased by 185%, compared with a total population growth of 30.9% over the same period. Increased life expectancy for both males and females has contributed to this rise.

There were more than three times as many females (2,900) than males (800) in this age group at 30 June 2010 which reflects the higher life expectancy at birth for females compared with males. SEX RATIOS The sex ratio relates to the number of males per 100 females in a population or sub population. The sex ratio at birth is approximately 105 males per 100 females. Higher male mortality rates at younger ages result in the ratio approaching 100 for the 30-64 years age group. Net Overseas Migration can also influence the sex ratio, especially in the younger working ages where there is often a greater proportion of male migrants. Above age 65, the sex ratio reduces markedly due to the impact of higher male mortality on this population group. At 30 June 2010, the sex ratio of the total population for Australia was 99.2 males per 100 females. At age 0, the sex ratio for Australia in 2010 was 105.3 males per 100 females.

This excess of males in the earlier years contrasts with the opposite situation in the older years and for the total population which can be attributed to female longevity. Sex Ratio(a), States and territories - At 30 June Across the states and territories for 30 June 2010, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory all had lower numbers of males than females. Tasmania had the lowest sex ratio, with 97.4 males per 100 females. Western Australia and the Northern Territory had an excess of males compared with females. The Northern Territory had the highest sex ratio with 107.6 males per 100 females. INTERNATIONAL COMPARISON Population ageing is a notable demographic characteristic of most developed countries. It is caused by sustained low fertility which results in proportionately fewer children. Population ageing is also caused by increasing life expectancy which results in proportionately more elderly people. In countries such as Japan, Italy, Greece, Sweden and Hong Kong, the number of people aged 65 years and over already exceeds the number of children aged 0-14 years.

In Australia, based on the latest Series B population projections, the number of people aged 65 years and over is projected to exceed the number of children aged 0-14 years around the year 2025. For more information, see Population Projections, Australia, 2006 to 2101 (cat. no. 3222.0). According to United Nations projections, all countries selected for analysis, except for Sweden, are projected to experience decreases in the proportion of children aged 0-14 years in their populations between 2010 and 2015. In most of these countries, the decrease in children aged 0-14 years is projected to be accompanied by increases in the proportions of people aged 15-64 years or people aged 65 years and over. Countries like Japan and Singapore are projected to experience proportional declines in their populations aged 0-14 years and 15-64 years, and are projected to experience large proportional increases in their population aged 65 years and over.

Population age structure, International comparison(a) - at 30 June 2010 Map of Australia, Australia Map Physical Geography Location The Commonwealth of Australia or Australia is the only country in the world which is also a continent by itself. The island nation is bound by the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Across the water its neighbors are Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Timor Leste to the North, and New Zealand to the South east. The geographic coordinates of the country are 27 degrees 00 minutes South and 133 degrees and 00 minutes East. On the mainland the northernmost point of the country is Cape York in Queensland, while the southernmost point is South Point in Victoria, and the easternmost point is Cape Byron in New South Wales, while the westernmost point is Steep Point in Western Australia. Australia is divided into three time zones. These are AEST-Australian Eastern Standard Time (UTC +10), ACST-Australian Central Standard Time (UTC +9.5) and AWST- Australian Western Standard Time (UTC +8).

Daylight Saving Time is practiced in Australia during the warmer months of the year and begins on the first Sunday of October, and reverts back to Standard Time on the first Sunday of April each year. With the clock set forward by one hour, the names of the time zones also change to AEDT-Australian Eastern Daylight Time (UTC +11) and ACDT-Australian Central Daylight Time (UTC +10.5). In the third time zone covering Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia, daylight saving time is not observed. Physiography The total area of Australia is 7,692,024 sq km and it is the sixth largest country in the world, area-wise. Australia is also the only continent on earth without any glaciers. The low plateaus and the deserts are characteristic of the general flatness and dryness of the country, however fertile plains are found in the southeast. Another distinctive feature of the country is its vast coastline. The highest point in the country is Mount Kosciuszko in New South Wales which is 2,228 m high, while the lowest point is Lake Eyre in South Australia which lies 15 m below sea level.

Climate The northern part of Australia is warm or hot throughout the year since it lies in the tropics; the central part is more or less arid; while the southern part of the country has warm summers and cool winters. Since the country is a very large island, its climate is influenced by various factors, especially the surrounding oceans. The annual temperature ranges from as low as below zero degrees centigrade, to as high as above 50 degrees centigrade. The coastal parts of northeastern Australia experience maximum rainfall in the country. Almost 80% of the country receives less than 600 mm of rainfall a year. Thus, most parts of the country, except the coastal areas, are relatively arid. In general terms, four seasons can be distinguished in Australia, however since the continent lies in the southern hemisphere, the timings of the seasons are different from that in the northern hemisphere. Thus, spring is from September to November, summer is from December to February, autumn is from March to May, and winter is from June to August. Hydrology The rivers in Australia are different from those in other countries on two accounts; most of them are located near the coast, and others are seasonal due to the lack of high mountains in the country.

The major rivers of the country are the Murray River, Murrumbidgee River, Darling River, Lachlan River, Warrego River, Cooper Creek, and Paroo River. Most lakes in Australia are quite shallow and dry up during the summer months; very few are permanent lakes. Some of the largest lakes in the country are Lake Gairdner, Lake Torrens, Lake Eyre and Lake Frome in South Australia; Lake Carnegie, Lake Macleod, Lake Moore Western and Lake Wells in Western Australia; Lake Mackay in Western Australia and the Northern Territory; and Lake Amadeus in the Northern Territory. Demography Population The total estimated population of Australia for the year 2014 is 22,507,617. For the year 2014, the estimated birthrate is 12.19 births per 1,000, and the death rate is 7.07 deaths per 1,000 of population, while the infant mortality rate is 4.43 deaths per 1,000 live births.

The sex ratio is estimated to be 1.06 males per female, and the growth rate of the population is estimated at 1.09%. The distribution of population in Australia is quite uneven. The two coastal areas of the south east and south west, situated on opposite sides of the continent are home to majority of the population. The population densities are highest along these seaboards particularly in the urban centers and cities. However, the population density reduces drastically as one travels inland towards the center of the country. The estimated population density for the year 2013 was 2.8 persons per sq km.

The estimated figures for the year 2014 for age structure in Australia show that 18% of the population consists of children between 0-14 years, 13.3% of the population is in the early working age between 15-24 years, 41.8% of the population is in the prime working age between 25-54 years, 11.8% of the population is in the mature working age between 55-64 years, and 15.1% of the population is in the elderly age of 65 years and over. As per the 2010 census, 89% of the total population in Australia is classified as urban population, while the remaining 11% is classified as rural population. Social Attributes The main religion in Australia is Christianity, comprising of Protestants, Catholics, Eastern Orthodox and other Christian sects, however the country also has Buddhists, Muslims and followers of other unspecified religions. The languages spoken in Australia are English, Chinese, Italian, Greek, Arabic, Vietnamese, and other unspecified languages.

The country has no official national language, but English is considered to be the de facto national language since it is used by majority of the people. Ethnic groups living in Australia include whites, Asians, aboriginals and others. Culture Food Australian cuisine has been heavily influenced by that of the British and Irish given that the island was a British Colony. However, derived from its aboriginal hunter gatherer traditions, indigenous Australian cuisine based on Kangaroo, Emu, and crocodile meat is also popular in the country. On the other hand, the nation’s multi-cultural immigration population has ensured a wide range of multi-ethnic foods as well as fusion cuisine. Roast dinners, meat pies, and fish and chips, are some of the country’s most popular meals. Music Australian music finds its origin in both, its indigenous aboriginal as well as its colonial culture and today it is multi-cultural and multi-ethnic. Indigenous Australian music has produced the iconic sound instrument - the didgeridoo. Australian folk music and bush ballads are also well known, the most famous being Waltzing Matilda. Modern Australian music is however quite similar to that of the UK and the USA.

Art and Painting Australian Art can basically be divided into the Aboriginal, Colonial, Landscape, Modernist and Contemporary periods. Aboriginal Art includes rock, body and bark paintings; rock engravings and cave paintings. When the first European settlers came to Australia they realized that the classical European style of painting could not capture the vast incredible landscapes of the Australian countryside; the Australian painters thus came up with their own style of landscape painting. Artists like the convict John Eyre, who produced paintings and engravings; and the landscape painter Conrad Martens (1801-1878) were the prominent painters in the early years of settlement. The Heidelberg School is considered to be one of the most important art movements in Australia. It took place in the latter half of the 19th century and was centered on Heidelberg, where artists like Frederick McCubbin (1855-1917), Tom Roberts (1856-1931), Arthur Streeton (1867-1943) and Charles Condor (1868-1909) painted ‘en plein air’ (in the open air) in the style of the European impressionists.

This is the movement that gave Australian art a sense of identity rooted in the love of landscape and the Bush. Sculpture Sculpture is a part of everyday public life in Australia and is visible in streets, parks, public squares and buildings. Australia has several sculpture parks such as the McLelland Gallery and Sculpture Park, near Melbourne; Herring Island Environmental Sculpture Park, Yarra River; Macquarie University Sculpture Park, Sydney; and the National Gallery of Australia Sculpture Garden, Canberra. Design and Architecture The most famous and easily recognizable building in Australia is the Sydney Opera House, Sydney designed by Jorn Utzon (1918-2008). The New Parliament House in the Australian capital of Canberra by Romaldo Giurgola (born on 2 Sept 1920) is also one of the country’s most noted buildings. Since Australia was originally a penal colony, some of Australia’s most prominent landmarks have been designed by convict architects; like the Port Arthur penal settlement and Point Puer Boys Prison by Henry Laing (1802-1842). Responding to the climate, terrain and occupation of the Australians, beach houses and wool sheds are popular in the country.

Literature Historically Australia was a collection of British colonies; hence its literature is predictably rooted in English literature. The most notable Australian writers include novelists Marcus Clarke (1846-1881), Miles Franklin (1879-1954), Christina Stead (1902-1983), Patrick White (1912-1990), Morris West (1916-1999), David Malouf (born in 1934), Thomas Keneally (born in 1935), and Colleen McCullough. Patrick White (1912-1990) is the only Australian to have received the Nobel Prize in Literature. Other well-known names in Australian literature include, Bush poets Banjo Paterson (1864-1941) and Henry Lawson (1867-1922); historians Manning Clark (1915-1991) and Geoffrey Blainey; playwright David Williamson and expatriate writers Barry Humphries, Robert Hughes (1938-2012), Clive James and Germaine Greer.

Fashion Although the seasons in the northern and southern hemisphere are different, the Australian fashion industry has emulated the trends of the northern hemisphere; albeit using local Australian textiles such as cotton and wool. Natural fibers emanating from Australia which have become popular in the international market include Cashmere, Mohair, and Alpaca fibers. The showcase of Australian fashion is presented annually in the Mercedes Australian Fashion Week, Sydney. Some well-known Australian designers are Carla Zampatti, Charlie Brown, Nicole and Simone Zimmermann, Lisa Ho, Saba, and Marcs and Collette Dinnigan. Cinema The first public screening of films in Australia took place in October 1896, and the first-ever feature film produced in Australia was the Story of the Kelly Gang in 1906. The Australian film industry has remained robust producing internationally renowned films; however some well-known Australian film personalities have shifted to Hollywood to gain international recognition. These include Mel Gibson, Guy Pearce, Nicole Kidman, Geoffrey Rush, Toni Collete, Russel Crowe, Hugh Jackman, Cate Blanchett, Heath Ledger, Naomi Watts, Eric Bana and Sam Worthington. Sports Sport is not only considered an integral part of Australian culture but also an obsession.

The most popular sports in Australia include Cricket, Football, Rugby, Horse Racing, Swimming and Tennis.

Famous Australians Several Australians have made their mark in the world, which include: Academy Award winning actors Geoffrey Rush, Russel Crowe, Nicole Kidman and Cate Blanchett; film personalities Hugh Jackman, Naomi Watts, Heath Ledger, Guy Pearce, Eric Bana, Toni Collette, Rachel Griffiths and Paul Hogan; pop princesses Kylie Minogue and Olivia Newton John; film directors Bruce Beresford, Baz Lurhmann, Jocelyn Moorhouse, Phillip Noyce, Fred Schepsi and Peter Weir; cricketing legends Sir Donald Bradman, Ritchie Benaud, Allan Border, the Waugh brothers, Shane Warne and Glen McGrath; swimmers Dawn Fraser, Shane Gould, Kieren Perkins and Ian Thorpe; runner Cathy Freeman; tennis stars Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall, John Newcombe, Pat Cash, Pat Rafter, Lleyton Hewitt, Margaret Court and Evonne Goolagong Cawley; Nobel Prize winning pharmacologist and pathologist Howard Florey; Nobel Prize winning scientists William Bragg, John Warcup Cornforth, John Eccles, Bernard Katz, Peter Doherty and Elizabeth Blackburn; cardiac surgeon Victor Chang; ophthalmologist Fred Hollows and media mogul

 Rupert Murdoch.

Economy The fiscal year in Australia is from July 1 to June 30 of each year. As per the year 2015 estimates, agriculture contributed 3.7%, industry contributed 28.9% and the services sector contributed 67.4% to the gross domestic product (GDP) of the country, which is USD 1.241 trillion. As per the year 2009 data, 3.6% of the labor force in Australia was engaged in agriculture; 21.1% in industry and 75.3% in the services sector. Agricultural products of the country include Wheat, Barley, Sugarcane, Fruits, and Poultry. Industries in Australia include mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, and steel. Total imports in Australia were estimated at USD 208.4 billion in the year 2015. Total exports were USD 184.4 billion.

Resources Natural resources found in the country include Bauxite, Coal, Iron Ore, Copper, Tin, Gold, Silver, Uranium, Nickel, Tungsten, rare earth elements and mineral sands, Lead, Zinc, Diamond, natural gas and Petroleum. International Trade Total exports for Australia were estimated at USD 184.4 billion in the year 2012. The country mostly exports Coal, Iron Ore, Gold, Meat, Wool, Alumina, Wheat, machinery and transport equipment. Its main export partners are China, Japan, South Korea, and India. Total imports into Australia were estimated at USD 208.4 billion in the year 2015. The country mostly imports machinery and transport equipment, computers and office machines, telecommunication equipment and parts; crude oil and petroleum products. Its main import partners are China, USA, Japan, Singapore, Germany, Thailand, and South Korea. Travel and Tourism The Tourism Industry is believed to worth $118 billion as per the 2015 estimates. It employs over 543,000 people across the country. Australia has a variety of tourist destinations.

Based on the number of travelers the most visited cities in the country are: Sydney, New South Wales; Melbourne, Victoria; Gold Coast, Queensland; Cairns, Queensland; Perth, Western Australia; Brisbane, Queensland; Adelaide, South Australia; Byron Bay, New South Wales; Noosa, Queensland and Darwin, Northern Territory. While the most visited tourist spots in Australia are: The Great Ocean Road and The Grampians National Park in Victoria; Frazer Island, the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest in Queensland; Kakadu National Park and the Uluru/ Ayers Rock in the Northern Territory, and the Freycinet National Park in Tasmania. Transport and Communication Roadways With its cities spread across the continent, approximately 823,217 km of roads is a vital network link in Australia. The country has many National Highways and State/ Territory Routes. The route numbering is a mix of the American and British System, which is still not followed uniformly in all the states. Railroads/ Railways Australia has the seventh largest railway network in the world, with 38,445 km of railway tracks.

Some of the busiest passenger train stations in the country are Adelaide station, Adelaide; Central station and Roma Street station, Brisbane; Flinders Street Station and Southern Cross Station, Melbourne; Perth railway station, Perth; and Central station, Sydney. Airways Australia has about 467 airports of which the 10 largest ones are: Sydney, New South Wales; Melbourne, Victoria; Brisbane, Queensland; Perth, Western Australia; Adelaide, South Australia; Gold Coast, Queensland; Cairns, Queensland; Canberra, Australian Capital Territory; Hobart, Tasmania; and Darwin, Northern Territory. Waterways With a vast coast line touching two major oceans, Australia has many ports some of which are dedicated for passengers while others for cargo. Important ports of the country are Brisbane, Cairns, Gladstone, Hay Point and Newcastle in Queensland; Dampier, Fremantle, Port Hedland and Port Walcott in Western Australia; Darwin in Northern Territory; Hobart and Port Dalrymple in Tasmania; Geelong and Melbourne in Victoria; Port Adelaide and Port Lincoln in South Australia; and Jervis Bay, Port Kembla and Sydney in New South Wales.

Satellites As of current data for the year 2013, Australia has a total of six operating satellites. Of these four are commercial satellites, one is a civil satellite and one is a military and commercial satellite. Telephone/ Mobile network The international country code for Australia is 61. There were 10.57 million telephone main lines in use and 24.49 million mobile cellular connections in the country, as per the year 2011 data. Internet The internet country code for Australia is ‘.au’ and as per the year 2009 data there were 15.81 million internet users in the country. Settlements Based on the 2011 census, the 10 most populated cities of Australia are Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Canberra, Newcastle, Wollongong, and Logan City. Environmental Geography Biodiversity Australia is believed to be home to over a million species of plants and animals of which many are not found anywhere else in the world. This uniqueness of its biodiversity is emphasized by the claim that about 85% of its flowering plants, mammals and freshwater fish are found only in the country.

Iconic flora of Australia includes the hummock grasslands as well as trees belonging to the genera of Acacia, Eucalyptus, Melaleuca, Grevillea and Allocasuarina; while iconic fauna are the Kangaroo, Koala, Echidna, Dingo, Platypus, Wallaby, and Wombat. National Parks Australia has more than 500 National Parks spread over the 28 million hectares of land. Of these six are managed by the Australian Government while the rest are looked after by the respective states and territories. These six Commonwealth National Parks are: Booderee National Park, New South Wales; Christmas Island National Park, Christmas Island; Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory; Norfolk Island National Park, Norfolk Island; Pulu Keeling National Park, Cocos (Keeling) Islands; and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory. History The first inhabitants of Australia are believed to have arrived 50,000 years ago from South East Asia, and were a nomadic population called the Aborigines who settled in the well watered coastal areas of the vast island.

Dutch, Portuguese and Spanish ships first sighted Australia in the 17th century. It was the Dutch who first landed in the Gulf of Carpentaria in 1606. By 1616, this territory came to be known as New Holland. In 1788, the British set up a penal colony at Port Jackson, now known as Sydney, after the loss of its 13 American colonies in 1783. The penal system was suspended only in 1839. Free settlers as well as the convicts eventually set up colonies across the country. In the early 19th century enterprising colonists brought the Merino Sheep to the country, to cater to the ever-growing demand for woolen garments in the United Kingdom. Breeding of sheep and production of wool subsequently become one of Australia’s biggest industries, and thus sheep became the basis of new wealth in Australia. The discovery of Gold came in 1851, first in New South Wales and then in Victoria. This led to another influx of newcomers to the country. In the 1850s, Victoria produced more than one third of the world’s Gold.

It was the discovery of Gold and the increasing population and wealth that influenced the British Government to hand over political responsibility to the colonies. The Commonwealth Federation of Australia was thus established on 1 January 1901. After the two world wars, Australia saw a fresh wave of immigrants arriving from Europe and the Middle East. Present day Australia is perceived as a modern and developed nation and is home to immigrants from over 200 countries. State and Polity Administratively the country is divided into six states and two territories. Besides the states and the territories Australia has six dependent areas – Ashmore and Cartier Islands; Christmas Island; Cocos (Keeling) Islands; Coral Sea Islands; Heard Island and McDonald Islands; and Norfolk Island, all of which are territories of Australia. Australia is a constitutional monarchy based on the federal parliamentary democratic system, and a Commonwealth realm. The Constitution was adopted on 9 July 1900 and came into effect on 1 January 1901. Everyone over 18 years of age is eligible to vote. The leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition becomes the Prime Minister following legislative elections; however the monarchy is hereditary.

Since 18 September 2013, Prime Minister Tony Abbot has been the Head of the Government; while Queen Elizabeth II has been the Head of State since 6 February 1952. However, the power vested in the queen is exercised by the Governor General who is appointed by her on the advice of the Prime Minister; which is held by Quentin Bryce since 5 September 2008. Defense The main branches of the Australian Defense Force (ADF) are the Australian Army (including the Special Operations Command), the Royal Australian Navy (including the Naval Aviation Force), the Royal Australian Air Force and the Joint Operations Command (JOC). Estimated expenditure on defense for the year 2012 was 3% of the gross domestic product (GDP). Human Development Index (HDI) As per the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Australia was ranked second in the world with a HDI of 0.935 in 2014. Health The life expectancy at birth in Australia is 82.15 years. Estimated expenditure on health care for the year 2013 is 9.4% of the gross domestic product (GDP).

Education Any person above the age of 15 who can read and write is considered literate. The literacy rate in Australia is 99%. Estimated expenditure on education for the year 2011 was 5.1% of the GDP. Per Capita National Income The Gross Domestic Product per capita for the year 2015 was USD 65,400 as estimated by CIA Factbook.

References: Maitland, Newcastle, New South Wales Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Fish and Chips, and Potato Cakes Top Ten Westfield Bondi Junction, New South Wales Westfield, Sydney Erina Fair, New South Wales Westfield Chermside, Queensland Warringah Mall, New South Wales Top Ten Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historic Reserve, Alice Springs Australian Aviation Heritage Centre, Darwin Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Kakadu National Park Western Australian Maritime Museum and Shipwreck Galleries, Fremantle New Norcia Museum and Art Gallery, New Norcia The Migration Museum, Adelaide National Museum of Australia, Canberra Top Ten Uluru/ Ayers Rock, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Great Barrier Reef, Queensland The Bungle Bungles, Purnululu National Park Shark Bay, Western Australia Fossil Mammal Sites in Naracoorte (South Australia), and Riversleigh (Queensland).

Top Ten Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbor, Sydney Port Jackson, Sydney Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory Uluru/Ayers Rock, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Great Barrier Reef, Queensland Australian Universities | AustralianUniversities.com.au PROFILES Australian Universities Study in Australia at an Australian university or college and you will be opening the door to a world of study that will fill your life with knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm. The Australian higher education sector offers a complete range of university courses and programs leading to highly regarded and internationally recognised qualifications. Australia is the destination of choice for students from around the world looking for a quality education at an affordable price. Click here to find an alphabetical: List of Universities in Australia Click here for a state-based search of: Universities Australia Click here for the: University Rankings Click here for an index of : University Courses Search All University Libraries Australian Universities offer a range of world class study options including accounting business commerce computing law management marketing nursing and tourism . Check out your future and see what the universities in Australia can offer you. You can read these brief descriptions about some of the institutions and my university Australia before you select from the menu and search their websites. Victoria University Melbourne, Victoria.

Victoria University is one of Australia's largest dual-sector institutions of higher education, with a TAFE college offering a unique combination of academic and vocational skills in a modern and supportive environment. It has built a strong reputation for providing a broad range of courses that are up-to-date and relevant to the modern employment environment and is considered an innovative institution amongst the universities in Victoria . Deakin University Melbourne, Victoria. Deakin University is one of Australia's most progressive and visionary universities. It has been noted for providing a superior and student-centered education, Deakin has become increasingly popular as a destination for international, with around 70,000 students studying on its various campuses, including ELICOS studies. Bond University Gold Coast, Queensland Bond University is Australia's first and largest private Australia university and has grown to become one of the Queensland universities with an excellent international reputation. At Bond you will experience personalised education by highly qualified teachers, innovative courses and teching methods, an international student body and a beautiful secure campus. Bond's staff to student ratio is the best in Australia. The University of Adelaide. Adelaide, South Australia.

The University of Adelaide is one of Australia's oldest and one of the highest ranking universities Australia has in any guide to higher education institutions and is regarded as one of the best Australian universities . Established in 1874, it is a member of the 'Group of Eight'. There are more than 1,800 international students among the 14,000-strong student population. University of Western Sydney (UWS) Sydney, NSW. With over 32,000 students, the University of Western Sydney (UWS) is one of the largest of the universities Australia has to offer. Over 2,800 international students from 70 different countries choose to study at UWS each year. UWS is a young, energetic and rapidly growing university with six campuses located in the Sydney region Southern Cross University Lismore, Tweed Heads/Gold Coast and Coffs Harbour, Queensland Southern Cross University is an internationally-recognised Australian government university. It has a reputation for academic excellence, and has won many prestigious international and Australian awards and grants. The quality programs offered by the University have high academic standards.

Griffith University, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Queensland Griffith University, one of Australia's leading universities has over 2,500 teaching staff, 27,000 students including 4,000 students from over 80 nations. Griffith has become an popular choice for students deciding that they want to study at one of the universities in Australia. Learning never got more enjoyable or rewarding than this. The University of Southern Queensland Toowoomba, Queensland. USQ has been recognised as a world leader in the fields of and tertiary study initiatives. USQ is a dynamic, flexible and innovative University whose staff and students pride themselves on being responsive to the technologically aware global market place. Swinburne University of Technology Melbourne, Victoria. Established in 1908, Swinburne has a strong reputation in Australia and overseas as a provider of career oriented education. Swinburne is a small, innovative university, which is rapidly forming a distinctive character including the study of a character which reflects purpose, achievement and the genuine quality of its educational outcomes. University of Tasmania Hobart - Launceston - Burnie, Tasmania The University of Tasmania is the fourth oldest University in Australia.

It is highly regarded internationally as a teching and research institution. The University of Tasmania offers a pleasant, enjoyable environment for study at all levels of higher education. Queensland University of Technology - Brisbane - is a dynamic and innovative institution that not only satisfies the requirements of its local and international student body but also has one of the highest MBA Australia rankings according to the Financial Times 2004 world listings. Macquarie University Sydney, NSW Macquarie University is one of the leading NSW universities and is a modern, sophisticated and cosmopolitan leading provider of education in Australia. With over 24,000 students including 4,000 international students, Macquarie is a university which prides itself on outstanding academic achievement and has excellent resources for distance learning and study online. Edith Cowan University Perth, Western Australia. Edith Cowan University is noted for its innovative course content, specialised research and creative pursuits. Responsive and forward thinking, it is one of the universities in Perth that is internationally focused and an Australian leader in the provision of professionally focused degree programs.

University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) Sydney, NSW The University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) is well known as a leader of professional career-focused education and is regarded as one of the best in Australia. It offers one of the most comprehensive ranges of innovative and internationally recognised degrees in Australia. When people consider one of the universities in Sydney then UTS in a natural choice. University of Canberra Canberra-ACT, ACT Internationally focused, the University of Canberra enjoys a diverse student population from more than 80 countries worldwide on the Canberra Campus. Offshore, the University teaches programs in countries such as Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. Monash University Melbourne, VictoriaMonash University is one of the top Australian universities and is leading the way with its international focus, ground-breaking research and academic excellence. Since its first student intake in 1961, Monash has grown into a diverse, multicultural and energetic institution with six campuses around the state and has an excellent international reputation that attracts many students.

The University of Notre Dame, Australia Perth, Western Australia Inspired by one of the greatest Catholic universities in the world, the University of Notre Dame in the United States, Notre Dame Australia brings to Australian education the vibrant traditions of a Catholic university together with the rich history.

Question: Which Australian state has the largest population
Answer: New South Wales